Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 16
Grade code: 1.3.1.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.3.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.3.1.LI.2
Theme: MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES AND NETWORKS
Subtheme: SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Welcome, students! Today, we are discussing one of the most important topics not just for farming, but for life in Ghana: Land. Land is the primary resource for any agricultural venture, from a small backyard garden to a large commercial plantation. In our communities, we often hear about disputes over land ownership, sometimes within families and sometimes between communities. Understanding the proper and legal ways to acquire and secure land is therefore crucial for any aspiring farmer or agribusiness entrepreneur.
This topic can be broken down into two main parts: first, how to get the land (Acquisition), and second, how to make it legally yours (Registration). Part A: Land Acquisition Procedures in Ghana
Land acquisition refers to the process of gaining possession or ownership of land. In Ghana, there are two broad systems governing land: Customary Law and Statutory Law. This gives rise to two main pathways for acquiring land. Customary Land Acquisition This is the most common method, especially in rural areas where most farming takes place. It is governed by the traditions and customs of a particular community. The land is typically held in trust for the community by a stool (in Akan areas), a skin (in Northern Ghana), a clan, or a family. Common Methods of Customary Acquisition: Inheritance/Succession: This is when land is passed down from one generation to the next. In Ghana, this can be through a patrilineal system (inheritance through the father's line, common among Ewes and Ga-Adangbes) or a matrilineal system (inheritance through the mother's line, common among Akans). Purchase/Grant from a Stool, Skin, or Family: A person can acquire land by buying it or receiving a grant from the traditional authority (Chief/Wulomo/Tindana) or the head of the family that owns the land. This often involves customary rites and the payment of a fee, sometimes called 'drink money'. The document received is usually an indenture. Gift (*Donation*): Land can be given as a gift from one person to another. This should be done in the presence of credible witnesses to be valid under customary law. Lease: An individual or company can be granted the right to use a piece of land for a specific period (e.g., 50 years for Ghanaians, as per the constitution) for a specific purpose, like farming. In return, they pay rent to the landowners. Sharecropping / Tenancy Agreements: This is very common in agriculture. The landowner gives a farmer the right to cultivate the land, and in return, they share the produce. Common systems in Ghana include: Abunu: The produce is divided into two equal parts between the farmer (tenant) and the landowner. Abusa: The produce is divided into three parts. The landowner gets one-third, and the farmer (tenant) gets two-thirds, often because the farmer provided their own tools, seeds, and labour. Formal/State Land Acquisition This process is governed by the laws of Ghana (Statutory Law). It often involves land that has already been registered or is owned by the state. Methods of Formal Acquisition: Purchase from a Private Entity: Buying land from an individual or a company that already holds a legal title (e.g., a Land Title Certificate) to the land. This is a direct sale, and the transaction is documented through legal agreements. Lease from the State: The government, through the Lands Commission, can lease public lands to individuals or organisations for specific purposes, such as large-scale agriculture. Compulsory Acquisition: The government has the power to take over any land for a public purpose (e.g., building a dam for irrigation, a school, or a road). In such cases, the law requires the government to pay fair and prompt compensation to the original owners. Part B: Land Title Registration Procedures
Simply acquiring land, especially through customary means, is often not enough to provide full security. Registration is the official process of recording your interest in the land with the government. The main institution responsible for this in Ghana is the Lands Commission. Registration provides proof of ownership and is crucial for business.
Why Register Your Farmland? Security of Tenure: It provides legal proof of ownership, preventing others from claiming your land. Collateral for Loans: Banks will almost always require a registered land title before giving a loan for agribusiness expansion. Reduces Litigation: It minimises land disputes and the associated costs. Increases Land Value: Registered land is more valuable than unregistered land. Easy to Transfer: It makes selling or transferring the land in the future much simpler.